Means for feeding fibrous feeds and the like



E. J. GUYER 3,258,165

MEANS FOR FEEDING FIBROUS FEEDS AND THE LIKE June 28, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 10, 1961 INVENTOR. ELBERT J. GUYER ATTORN FY 9. N Y B E .N QE 8 E wm. 3 5 E d q a 4 4 4 2: oo. oo 3. 2 31 3 June 28, 1966 E. J. GUYER 3,258,165

MEANS FOR FEEDING FIBROUS FEEDS AND THE LIKE Filed 001.- 10, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR. ELBERT J. GUYER FIG.5

ATTORNEY June 28, 1966 GUYER 3,258,165

MEANS FOR FEEDING FIBROUS FEEDS AND THE LIKE Filed 061'.- lO, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 Q I40 148 I60 no 5 34 I70 FIG. 6

'IIIIIIIII I56 FIG. 9

INVENTOR. 62 F IG 8 ELBERT J. GUYER ATTORNEY June 28, 1966 GUYER 3,258,165

MEANS FOR FEEDING FIBROUS FEEDS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 10, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 156 I00 I06 M INVENTOR. ELBERT J. GUYER FIG. l2 gym/MM ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,258,165 MEANS FOR FEEDING FIBROUS FEEDS AND THE LIKE Elbert J. Guyer, Moundridge, Kans., assignor to P 8; D

Sales & Mfg. (10., a division of the Neff and Fry Company, a corporation of ()hio Filed Get. 10, 1961, Ser. No. 144,209

14 Claims. (Cl. 22263) This invention relates to feeding method and means, and more specifically to feeding method and means for fibrous feeds and the like.

Various types of feeding methods and means are known to the art. The prior art methods and means include devices which have tubular members to receive particulate or grain feed with means therein to move same along and dispense same therefrom. While these prior art devices are normally satisfactory for pellet of particulate type feed they are unsatisfactory for fibrous feeds or the like including ensilage, haylage, chopped maize, alfalfa, etc., which are fibrous or gummy and tend to clog or stop a feeder. The wide use of fibrous feeding materials has created a need in the art for suitable automatic or semiautomatic feeding method and means for fibrous or gummy feeds. in addition, new feeding method and means are needed which increases the productivity of a worker in order to make farming profitable. The feeding method and means of the invention eliminates the problems of the prior art and provides an improved feeder method and means whereby fibrous or gummy feed materials can be used and the productivity of an individual workers on the farm is substantially increased.

In accordance with the present invention a new. feeding apparatus is provided which is particularly constructed and adapted for use with fibrous or gummy feeds and the like. The feeding apparatus of the invention includes trough means which are supported on support means and at least a portion of the trough means are preferably rotatably mounted thereon. An opening is provided in the trough means and feed holding means are mounted to be in open feed passage communication with the trough means at all times during the feeding operation. Means are provided with the feed holding 'means to force the fibrous feed from the feed holding means to the trough means and such preferably operates continuously during the feeding operation. Means are provided with the trough means which are constructed and operable to receive and move the fibrous feed from the feed holding means along the trough means, and the feed in at least a portion of the trough means is periodically dumped therefrom into a feed bunker or the like while feed flow is maintained from the feed holding means.

In a preferred specific embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the invention adjustable supports are provided and positioned in spaced relation and the supports have mounted thereon an elongated fixed tube which is rigidly ecured thereto and an elongated rotatable tube which is preferably coaxially mounted withthe fixed tube and is of the same diameter as the fixed tube to form an extension thereof. The fixed tube has an opening therein and a hopper is secured to the fixed tube and is open at the bottom thereof and positioned to be in continuous feed passage communication with the fixed tubeduring operation of the feeding apparatus. A conveyor shaft is preferably provided in the hopper extending the length thereof and having flights on the conveyor shaft extending from both ends of the shaft in opposite directions and meeting near one thereof so that feed will be conveyed from both ends of the hopper and feed will be forced downwardly through the opening in the fixed tube. Another flight conveyor is prefer-ably provided in the fixed and elonice gated tube and extends substantially the entire length thereof with the last-named flight conveyor moving fibrous feed and the like received therein along the entire length of the fixed tube and through the rotatable tube. Power means, preferably an electric motor, operates the conveyor means in the hopper and in the tubes and same continuously operate during the entire feeding operation. The rotatable tube is preferably cradled on rollers carried by the support means and suitable power means are provided to rotate the rotatable tube when same has been substantially filled with feed. A plurality of longitudinally aligned openings are desirably provided in the rotatable tube and are normally positioned upwardly with the tube being rotated to position the openings downwardly and permit discharge of the feed therefrom. Switch means are preferably provided which are automatically closed when the rotatable tube is substantially filled with feed so that the power means to rotate the rotatable tube is then activated, thus permitting substantially automatic operation of he device. Means are preferably provided 0 deflect or direct feed discharge from the rotatable tube toward one side or the other of the feeding apparatus. In a preferred specific embodiment the deflector means includes an elongated deflector plate or board which is movably positioned beneath the rotatable tube and extends to both sides thereof. Means are desirably provided with the deflector board so that same can be accurately positioned at an inclined angle and maintained in such position so that when feed leaves the rotatable tube and engages the deflector member the feed will be moved by the force of gravity to the side of the feeding apparatus. Preferably the deflector means is positionable in at least two positions so that the feed can be directed toward one side or the other of the feeding apparatus.

The method of the invention includes continuously passing fibrous feed from -a feed receiving area to conveyor means. The feed is then moved along the conveyor means and same is periodically discharged therefrom while fiow of feed from the feed receiving area to the conveyor means is maintained.

In a preferred specific embodiment of the method of the invention, fibrous feed and particulate feed is introdouced into the upper portion of a feed supply hopper or the like. Continuous mixing of the feed takes place in the hopper and simultaneously and continuously the feed is moved through the hopper and forced through a lower portion thereof into engagement with conveying means. The mixed feed is continuously moved into elongated tubular feed distribution means and is periodically discharged therefrom while maintaining the flow of the feed from the hopper. The path of flow of feed upon discharge can be regulated to place same in the desired location relative to the feeding apparatus.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide new method and means for feeding cattle, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new method and means for feeding fibrous feeds.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new method and means for feeding livestock and the like whereby means are provided to force the feed to trough means for conveying or moving same to the desired lothe other thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide new feeder method and means which are economical and improve the productivity of a farm worker.

Another object of the invention is to provide new method and means for feeding fibrous feeds and the like whereby means are provided to force the feed from feed receiving means to conveyor means with the feed forcing means and the conveyor means being in continuous operation when feeding.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view showing a preferred specific embodiment of the new feeding apparatus for fibrous feeds and the like of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial longitudinal cross section view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse cross section view taken along'the lines 33 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse cross section view taken along the line 44 of FIGS. 1 and 7 showing the end portion of the apparatus opposite from the feed re ceiving portion.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial longitudinal cross section view showing the connection between the fixed and rotatable tubes in the preferred specific embodiment of the feeding apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial isometric view on a reduced scale showing the end portion of the rotatable tube having the structure thereon to cause rotation of the tube.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged partial longitudinal cross section views taken along the lines 77 and 88 of FIGS. 4 and 6 showing two positions of the switch operating means for rotating the rotatable tube.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, partial cross section 'view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 4 showing a preferred means of mounting the tube for rotation.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial cross section view taken along the line 1010 of FIG. 11 and showing a preferred embodiment of the deflector means of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, partial longitudinal cross seclar member 30 and a rotatable tubular member 32 which are mounted on the support means 22 and 14, respectively,

tional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIGS. 10

and 12.

FIG. 12 is a cross section view taken along the .line 1212 of FIG. 11.

'FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the switching means of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new feeding method and means of the invention, such being made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/ or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to, the drawings in detail, the feeding apparatus for fibrous livestock feed and the like of the invention includes a plurality of tubular supports 14 which in the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings is made of tubular metallic members which are generally inverted U-shaped and which have spaced and generally parallel legs 16 joined at the top by an arcuate portion 18. relation as illustrated in FIG. 1 and each of the legs 16 of the supports 14 are preferably internally threaded at the lower end portion thereof as shown in FIG. 4 to adjustably receive feet 20. Supports 22 are provided and are similar in construction to the supports 14 with the exception that the supports 22 do not have the arcuate connecting portion 18 but instead are constructed of leg portions 24 having feet 26 adjustably mounted therein. The supports 22 are preferably positioned at one end of the apparatus andare in line with the supports 14.

Trough means or the like are provided to receive the fibrous feed and in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings these trough means include a fixed tubu- The supports 14 are preferably mounted in spaced in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 so that same are substantially coaxial. The rotatable tube 32. preferably has the same diameter as the fixed tube 30 and forms an extension thereof. Suitable frame means 34 are preferably provided to mount the tubes and such extend between and are secured to the legs of the frame means 14 and'22.

The fixed tube or feed receiving means 30 is open at the top thereof along one end portion as shown at 36 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and a hopper 38 or other suitable feed holding means is mounted on the trough means 30 and such is preferably open at the bottom thereof and so mounted as to be in open and feed passage communication with the trough means at all times. The hopper 38 is also preferably open at the top to receive feed and is provided with end walls 40 and 42 and with side Walls 44 and 46, the latter preferably tapering from the top to bottom as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

Means are preferably provided to force the fibrous feed from the hopper 38 to the feed holding means or fixed tube 30. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, such includes a conveyor shaft 50 which is rotatably mounted in its end portions in the ends 40 and 42 of hopper 38 and preferably extends through the ends thereof. A first spiral flight 52 is rigidly secured to the shaft 50 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, and the flight 52 extends from the end 42 of hopper 38 a major portion of the length of the hopper. A second spiral flight 54, FIG. 2, is also secured to the conveyor shaft 50 and extends from the end 40 of the hopper 38 toward the end 42 and toward the flight 52. The flight 54 preferably extends a relatively short distance along shaft 50, such as one-half of a revolution, and flight 54 is preferably of the same radius and pitch as flight 52 but extends in a direction around the shaft 50 opposite to that of the flight 52. The flights 52 and 54 are preferably of such size and shaft 50 positioned so that the distance from one wall 44 to the other wall 46 is substantially filled by the flights as is best illustrated in FIG. 3. The fibrous feed or the like being utilized is continuously mixed in the hopper and simultaneously continuously forced by operation of the flights between the sides of the hopper downwardly through the opening 36 in the fixed tube 30. Suitable power means areused to operate the conveyor shafts 50 and in the preferred embodiments in the draw-.

ings such is provided by an electric motor 56 which operates through a gear box 58 to obtain the desired number of revolutions per minute. The gear box 58 is secured to the shaft 50 toturn same. A housing 60, FIG. 1, can be used to enclose the drive belt or other meahs'connecting the motor 56 and the gear box 58. Electric motor 56 and gear box 58 are preferably secured to the top surface of the fixed tube 30 however this mounting can be changed as desired.

In order to easily rotate the tube means 32, a plurality of rollers 62 are preferably provided and two of such rollers are mounted in spaced relation between the frame means 34 of the support means 14 as is best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 9. Suitable bolt means 64 and a nut 66 can be used to mount the rollers 62 in position as is best illustrated in FIG. 9. The tube 32 is then cradled between the rollers 62. Rollers 62 do, of course, project above the frame means 34 so as to be in contact with the tube 32. The tube 32 can be made in sections and the ends of abutting sections provided with flanges 33 which are welded or otherwise secured together as shown in ,FIGS. 79. The center portion of rollers 62 can then be recessed as shown at 63 and receive the flanges 33.

The preferred manner of connecting the fixed and rotatable portions of the trough means is best illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. This mounting includes a collar or ring-like member 70 which is rigidly secured to an end portion of the rotatable tube 32 and a plurality of lugs 72 secured thereto which receive mounting bolts 74 which are secured in position by the nuts 76. A sprocket 78 having a projecting flange 80 is provided and the mounting bolt 74 passes through the sprocket to secure same to the rotatable tube 32 so that when movement of the sprocket 78 occurs the tube 32 will be rotated. Another collar or bearing member 82 is provided and is rigidly positioned beneath the flange 80 of the sprocket 78 and between the main portion of the sprocket and the collar 70 with the outer surface of the bearing 82 and the inner surface of the flange 80' being in sliding and bearing contact and with the inner surface of the sprocket 78 and the edge of member 82 having a thrust bearing surface to prevent axial movement of the rotatable member 32.

The sleeve or bearing 82 is preferably rigidly secured to an extension 84 of the fixed trough means or tube 30. The extension 84 preferably has a slightly greater wall thickness since it has been found in practice that a greater than normal amount of wear occurs on this portion of the feeding apparatus. The extension 82 is secured to the fixed tube 30 by means of rings or collars 86 and 88 having lugs 90 and 92, respectively, secured thereto through which mounting bolts 94 pass. Nuts 95 hold the bolts 94 in position. This preferred mounting of the rotatable tube 32 onto the end portion of the fixed tube 30 has been found to be desirable and is relatively easy to construct. It also permits quick assembly and disassembly of the tubes.

The rotatable tube or trough means 32 is provided with a plurality of elongated and longitudinally spaced openings 100 which are normally in the up position during operation of the device until the tube has become substantially full of the feed. In orderto dump the feed from the rotatable tube 32 suitable power means are provided. Such is shown as a second electric motor 102, FIG. 2, which is desirably mounted on the fixed portion 30 of the trough means. A suitable gear box 104 is provided and connected to the electric motor 102 with the output of the gear box being transmitted through sprocket trio motor 56 to drive sprocket 106 and sprocket 78.

Another conveyor shaft 110 is positioned within the trough means and preferably extends substantially the entire length of the fixed tube 30 and the rotatable tube 32. Shaft 110 can be rotatably mounted in one end portion on a plate 112 which is secured to end 40 of hopper 38 and extends downwardly therefrom to close one end of tube 30. A spiral flight 114 is secured to the shaft 110 and extends substantially the entire length thereof through both the fixed portion 30 of the trough means and the rotatable portion 32 thereof. The flight 114 is preferably wound around the shaft 110 in a direction opposite to that of the flight 52 and in the same direction as flight 54.

In operation the flight 114 receives feed and the like from hopper 38 which is forced to the tube 30 by the rotation of shaft 50 and flights 52 and 54. The flight 114 in operation moves feed received from the hopper 38 along the trough means from the fixed portion 30 thereof into and through the rotatable portion 32. As the feed moves through the fixed tube 30 the feed will be evened out by the flight 114.

The conveyor shafts 50 and 110 are preferably operably connected together for rotation by the use of sprockets 116 and 1 18 on the ends of the shafts which are connected by a chain 120 so that when motor 56 turns shaft 50 the shaft 110 will also be rotated. Sprockets 1 16 and 1118 and the chain120 can be enclosed by a suitable housing 122. In operation the flights are operated continuously and in unison during the entire feeding operation. This is particularly desirable when using the fibrous feeds since the continuous operation of these my, fibrous feeds. This problem does not exist with feeders particularly constructed for use with particle or pellet type feed means since the conveying apparatus can be stopped and started Without jamming resulting from the use of fibrous feeds. Furthermore,'since the flights 52 and 54 are wound on the shaft 50 in opposite directions, the fibrous feed is conveyed from the ends of the hopper and will not tend to accumulate in one end of the hopper 38 causing reduced efiiciency or stopping and jamming of the conveyor apparatus.

Electric motor 56 is'norm-ally in operation during the entire feeding operation and suitable means are preferably provided to automatically turn electric motor 102 on when tube 32 is full or substantially full of feed and off when the feed has been discharged to the feed bunkers. The preferred construction of the switch operating means is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6-8. This structure includes a mounting block which preferably has a yoke and which is secured to portion 18 of support 14 at the 'end of the tube 32 opposite from the fixed tube 30.

The block 130 can be secured directly to the member 18 or a plate 132 can be welded or otherwise mounted on the support means and the block 130 mounted thereon by the use of mounting bolts or the like 134.

A switch 136 is mounted on the top of the mounting block 130 at the base of the yoke and the switch operator 138 extends downwardly between the arms 140 and 142 forming the yoke of the block 130. A conduit 144 is provided and connected in its end portions to the switch 136 and to the housing 108 for motor 102. Conduit 144' receives the wires which connect the switch 136 and the electric motor 102.

A pivot 146 is mounted in its end portions to the arms 140 and 142 of the mounting block 130 and an operating arm 148 is mounted on the pivot. Arm 148 has one end portion 150 bent at approximately. a right angle to the main portion of the operating arm and engageable with the operator 138 of the switch 136 to open and close the switch. A spiral spring 152 is wrapped around the pivot 146' and the end portions thereof engage the mounting block 130 and the operating arm 148 to urge the operating arm continuously into the position shown in FIG. 7 with arm 150 in engagement with the operator 138 of switch 136 to maintain same open.

The main portion of the arm 148 extends downwardly from the pivot 146 and is positioned at the end of the rotatable tube 32. A rod or post 154 is secured to the lower end of the operating arm 148 and projects inwardly into the rotatable tube 32 and is approximately concen tric therewith. A circular plate 156 is secured to the inner end of the rod or post 154 and substantially closes the rotatable tube 32. A slot or opening 158 is provided in the tube 32 and such is normally above the rod 154 and plate 156 during the tube filling operation.

A roller 160 is rotatably mounted on the operating arm 148 along an intermediate portion thereof and is positioned at the opening or slot 158 at the end of tube 32 when the tube is being filled. The roller 160 extends inwardly into the slot or opening 158 and as will be apparent from FIG. 7 will be engageable with a beveled or inclined portion 159 at the edge of the slot 158 when the tube 32 turns.

To operate the feeding apparatus described hereinbefore a master switch 164, FIG. 13, is closed and such is connected to a 220-volt power supply and to the motor 56. When the main supply switch 164 is closed motor 56 will operate at all times, thus driving conveyor shafts 50 and 110. The electric motor 102 is normally relatively small in comparison to motor 56 and can be operated by a 110-volt power supply. Therefore, two of the supply lines from switch 164 to motor 56 are tapped and one of these is connected directly to motor 102 and the other goes to a three-position manual switch 166. One side of switch 166 leads directly to the microswitch 136 at the end of the rotatable tube and the return wire from switch 136 leads directly to motor 102.

7 With switch 164 closed and switch 166 closed to provide current to the switch 136, the feeding apparatus as described hereinbefore is ready for operation.

The feed is provided to the hopper 38 directly from a silo, by suitable lift means, etc., and feed such as silage, hay, en-silage, chopped maize, and other fibr ous or gummy type feeds can be used. In addition, the beforementioned feeds can be mixed with suitable granular or pellet type feeds including corn, range feed, etc. Mixing action is obtained in the hopper 38 as a result of operation of the conveyor shaft 50 and movement of the flights 52 and 54 thereon. This is particularly desirable when combinations of grains or pellet feeds and fibrous or gummy feeds are used. In addition, movement of the feed through the fixed trough means 30 will tend to have an evening out or leveling effect for mixtures of grain. The various types of feed used can, of course, be mixed prior to supplying same to the hopper 38. With motor 56 operating continuously during the entire feeding operation the feeds from hopper 38 are acted upon by the flights 52 and 54 therein and same are firmly urged or forced through the opening 36 in tube 30 into the tube 32 and the conveyor shaft 110 which also operates continuously throughout the feeding operation cause-s movement of flight 114 to move the feed from the fixed portion 30 into the rotatable tube or trough portion 32. Conveyor shafts t) and 110 rotate in the same direction as shown in FIG. 3. The feed is moved the entire length of the rotatable tube 32 and when the tube is substantially f-ull a portion of the feed will tend to be forced out the end thereof which is substantially closed by the plate 156. The force of this feed is directed against the plate 156 and causes the arm 148 to be moved about pivot 146 from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 8. When this occurs, the end portion 150 of arm 148 is moved downwardly as shown and the switch operator 138 moves outwardly causing the switch 136 to be closed which completes the electric circuit to the motor 102 and permits operation of same. Operation of electric motor 102 is transmitted through the gear box 104 to sprocket 106 to drive or turn sprocket 78 which is rigidly attached to the tube 32, causing rotation of the entire tube and turning the openings 100 in tube 32 downwardly and the feed within the tube is discharged by the force of gravity into the feed bunkers or the like therebelow (not shown). Preferably the tube 32 and shaft 110 rotate in the same direction or shown by the arrows in FIG. 5, thus reducing the friction between the tube and flight.

Initially, the arm 148 is held in its outermost position as illustrated in FIG. 8 by the force of the feed. As the tube begins to turn and feed is discharged therefrom, the arm 148 will tend to move to the position shown in FIG. 7 due to the force of gravity and the spring 152 acting upon the arm. This tendency is prevented by the roller 1-60 which moves from the slot 158 and inclined portion 159 thereof to the outer end portion of the tube 32 and engages same and rolls therealong as the tube 32 is rotated, such being illustrated in FIG. 8. The engagement of the roller 160 and tube 32 will prevent the arm 148 from returning to its normal position until the tube has been rotated approximately 360 degrees and the roller 160 will then drop into the slot 158 and the portion 150 of arm 148 will engage and move the switch operator 138 upwardly to open switch 136 and stop the motor 102 until the tube 32 is again substantially filled with feed and the operation previously described will again occur. As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the feeding apparatus can be easily operated by one man merely by throwing the switches 1'64 and 1'66 to the desired position and then directing the feed into the hopper 138 from a silo, etc. The feeder apparatus can be made long enough to feed the desired number of livestock without an increase in the man power required to operate the feeding apparatus.

Preferably means are provided so that the openings and tube 32 can be placed down when the feeding apparatus is not in use so that rain water and the like will not accumulate in the rotatable tube. This can be accomplished by the use of a switch 165, FIG .13, which is desirably positioned along the bottom portion of the fixed tube 30 adjacent to the sprocket 78. The three position manual switch 166 can be closed to direct current from the power supply to one side of the switch with the other side of switch 165 being connected to the motor 162 to close the circuit to the motor when the switch 165 is closed. Switch 165 is normally closed and when the three position switch 166 is closed to direct current to switch 165, the motor 102 is started and tube 32 is turned. This arrangement permits manual control of the tube rotating means.

Means can be provided to automatically stop motor 102 when openings 100 in tube 32 reach this lowermost position. For-example, a cam or suitable obstruction 161, FIG. 1, can be provided on the sprocket 78 and positioned opposite switch 165 to engage the switch operator 167 thereof when the openings 100 are in their lowermost position and open switch 165 and stop motor 102. When it is desired to again position the openings upwardly for normal operation of the feeding apparatus, the three position switch 166 is moved to its other position so that switch 165 is bypassed and current is supplied to the switch 136. Switch 136 is closed at that time since the roller 1 60 moved arm 148 outwardly upon initial rotation of the tube 32. Since switch 136 is closed, motor 102 will start to move tube 32. Movement of tube 32 is stopped by arm 148 in the manner previously described.

Other switching means can be used if desired to vary the operation of the device described hereinbefore. For example, switch 165 can be a reversing switch to be used with an electrically reversable motor 192 for turning the tube 32. Thus, when switch 136 is closed and the tube rotates 180 degrees in one direction the cam on sprocket 78 will engage switch operator 167 to reverse motor 102 and cause the tube to reverse its direction and return to the up position. The tube is then stopped by switch 136 in the usual manner. In such an arragenment, switch 165 would be in series with the switch 136 and two cams would be provided on sprocket 78 so that the switch could be moved from one position to the other, one of the cams engaging the switch when the tube reaches its lowermost position and the other engaging the cam when it reaches its uppermost position.

In some instances, it will be desirable to provide means to direct or deflect the feed being discharged from the rotatable tube 32 toward one side or the other of the feeding apparatus. By use of such structure the feeding apparatus can be positioned along or in line with a fence between two fields or feed lots and cattle or other animals in both lots can be fed by a single feeding apparatus. Also, in some instances, the support means for the feeding apparatus wil be relatively short and itwill then be desirable to deflect the feed to the sideof the apparatus to make feeding easier. A preferred construction of this deflecting apparatus and means for mounting same is illustrated in the drawings and is best shown in FIGS.

The deflecting means includes a bracket 170 for each of the supports carrying the rotatable tube 32 and the bracket 17 0 is preferably mounted on the frame means 34 by positioning same betwen the frame means and passing mounting bolts 172 therethrough and securing same by nuts 174. Preferably, a portion of each bracket 170 extends downwardly beneath the frame members 34 as illustrated and the projecting portion of the bracket receives a shaft 176 which is relatively short and extends through and is rotatably mounted in the brackets 170.

Two stops 178 and 180 are provided for each of the brackets 170 and are desirably positioned at the corners of the brackets which project from the frame means 34 and the stop means extend to one side of the bracket as illustrated.

A collar 182 is provided for each of the shafts 176 and is positioned on the shafts and rigidly secured thereto by means of a pin 184 passing through the shaft 176 and the collar 182. Each of the collars 182 has a flange or arm 186 rigidly secured thereto and projecting therefrom and positioned between the stops 178 and 180. The flange 186 is desirably of such size as to engage the stops in movement and thus limit rotation of the shafts 176.

A plurality of pipes or tubular members 188 are provided and one of the pipes 188 extends between each two of the brackets 170 with the ends of the pipes telescopically receiving the ends of the shaft 176 and secured thereto by pins 189. Suitable support or mounting means are provided with the pipes 188 and such are illustrated as being angle irons 190. A plurality of the angle irons are preferably secured to each of the pipes 188 and extend transversely to the axis of the pipes and can be rigidly secured thereto by welding, etc. Deflector plates or boards 192 are suitably mounted on the support means 190 such as by the use of the mounting bolts 194, FIG. 10. The deflector boards or plates 192 extend substantially from one of the brackets 170 to the other and are wide enough to deflect the feed from the rotatable tube 32 the desired distance toward the side of the feeding apparatus. As shown in FIG; 10, the deflector plates or boards 192 can be moved from the position shown in the solid lines to the position shown in the dashed lines by manual or power pressure being applied to the plates which will move the pipes 188 and shaft 176, the rotatable movement of the shafts and pipes being limited by the flange or arm 186 engaging the stops 178 and180. Since the pipes 188 are each secured to shafts 176 movement of one of the plates 192 will cause similar movement to all of the other plates.

Suitable means are preferably provided to maintain the deflector boards or plates in one position or the other. For this purpose one end of each of the pipe members 188 has a collar or sleeve 200 secured thereto by suitable means, such as a pin or bolt 202, and the sleeve 200 preferably is on the opposite side of the bracket 170 from the collar 182. An arm 204 is rigidly secured to the sleev or collar 200 and projects therefrom as best illustrated in FIG. 12. A link member 206 is pivotally connected in one end portion to the outer end portion of the arm 204 with the center portion of the link 206 being arcuate as shown in FIG. 12 and passing around the pipe 188 and collar 200. A plurality of rods or the like 208 are provided and have one end positioned at the end of the brackets 170. The rods 208 can be secured to the brackets 170 as shown or supported by the frame means 34, etc. Suitable spring means, such as the spiral spring 210 are provided for each of the link arms or members 206 and the spring 210 connects the other end portion of the link 206 to the end portion of the rod 208. As will be seen from FIG. 12 of the drawings, the link member 206 will be moved to the position shown in the solid lines or the dashed lines as the deflector members 192 are moved and in either position the spring means 210 acting through link member 206 will urge the arm 204 toward the rod 208 and the action of the spring member 210 will maintain the entire deflector structure in one position .or the other. The force of the springs 210 will be great enough to prevent inadvertent or unintentional movement of the deflector plate but will not be great enough to prevent any intentional movement of the plates.

The feeding apparatus and method of the invention is easily operated by a single individual and eliminates many problems in prior art feeding devices. This is particularly so insofar as the feeding of fibrous feeds or the like is concerned since many prior art feeding devices are not capable of handling this type of feed and attempts to use same with this feed have caused frequent repairs and damage. Also, the feeding method and means of the tions can be made without departing from the spirit of. the

disclosure or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

.1. A feeder comprising supporting means, a tubular container, said tubular container having spaced apart openings therein, motor means carried on said supporting means and optionally rendering said openings effective or ineffective as discharge openings, conveyor means arranged to fill said tubular container with feed when said openings are ineffective as discharge openings, switch means at the outer end of said tubular container, a gate hinged relative to said tubularcontainer and substantially covering the end of the tube and a portion thereof adapted to engage and operate said switch means, whereby when said tubular container is filled throughout its length and the hinged'gate is swung outwardly the switch means acts to operate said motor means to render the openings effective as discharge openings, said gate constituting a bellcrank, means pivotally mounting said bellcrank on said supporting means, one arm of said bellcrank having a circular plate associated therewith to be contacted by feed material filling said tubular container and the other arm thereof disposed in operating position adjacent said switch means and utilized to effect operation of said switch means when said bellcrank is swung about its pivotal mounting.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said bellcrank is spring biased to normally urge said circular plate in covering position over the end of the tubular container.

3. A feeder comprising a supporting means, a tubular container journally carried on said supporting means, said tubular container having spaced apart openings therein and an outer open end, means rotating said tubular container to optionally position said openings in either effective orineffectiye discharge position, conveyor means arranged to fill said tubular container with feed when said openings are in ineffective discharge position, switch means at the outer open end of said tubular container, a gate hinged on said supporting means for relative movement with respect to the outer open end of said tubular container, said gate arranged to actuate said switch means when feed material pushes the gate outwardly of said outer open end, said gate further arranged relative to said outer open end so that said feed material which pushes said gate outwardly of said outer open end is substantially discharged from said outer open end, and said means rotating said tubular container actuated by said switch means when the gate is swung outwardly to move said openings to an effective discharge position.

4. A feeder comprising a supporting means, a tubular container journally carried on said supporting means, said tubular container having spaced apart openings therein, motor means rotating said tubular container to optionally position said openings in either effective or ineffective discharge position, auger conveyor means arranged to fill said tubular container with feed when said openings are in ineffective discharge position, switch means at the outer end of said tubular container, a gate hinged on said supporting means for relative movement with respect to the end of said tubular container, said gate arranged to actuate said switch means when feed material pushes the gate outwardly and said motor means rotating said tubular container actuated by said switch means when the lgateis swung outwardly to move said openings to an effective discharge position, said gate constituting a bellcrank, means pivotally mounting said bellcrank on said supporting means, one arm of said 1 l" bellcrank having a circular plate associated therewith to be contacted by feed pushed outwardly by the auger conveyor means and the other arm of said bellcrank actuating said switch means.

'5. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which said tubular container has a notch in one side of the end thereof, said one arm of the bellcrank arranged to depend within said notch when the circular plate closes the end of the tubular container, and said one arm of the bell-crank adapted to be swung out of said notch when the circular plate is swung outwardly.

6. A feeder comprising a supporting means, a tubular container journally carried on said supporting means, said tubular container having spaced apart openings therein, motor means rotating said tubular container to optionally position said openings in either effective or ineffective discharge position, auger conveyor means arranged to fill said tubular container with feed when said openings are in ineffective discharge position, switch means at the outer end of said tubular container, a gate hinged on said supporting means for relative movement with respect to the end of said tubular container, said gate arranged to actuate said switch means when feed material pushes the gate outwardly and said motor means rotating said tubular container actuated by said switch means when the gate is swung outwardly to move said openings to an effective discharge position, said gate constituting a bellcrank, means pivotally mounting said bellcrank on said supporting means, one arm of said bellcrank having a circular plate associated therewith to be contacted by feed pushed outwardly by the auger conveyor means and the other arm of said bellcrank actuating said switch means, said tubular container having a notch in one side of the end thereof, said one arm of the bellcrank arranged to depend within said notch when the circular plate closes the end of the tubular container, said one arm of the bellcrank adapted to be swung out of said notch when the circular plate is swung outwardly, cam means on said one arm of the bellcrank to engage the end of the tubular container spaced from the notch to maintain the one arm in an outwardly swung position to insure a complete revolution of the tubular container back to the position of said notch.

7. In a tube feeder having, a feed carrying tube with an open remote end, a dump control responsive to feed delivered to said open remote end of said tube, said dump control comprising switch means carried over the open remote end of said tube, a pivotally carried lever cooperating with said switch means to control the operation of said switch means responsive to pivotal movement of said lever, a plate, and means for carrying said plate on said lever with said plate positioned in said open remote end of said tube to receive feed thereagainst which is delivered to said open remote end of said tube whereby when said plate is swung outwardly by the movement of feed thereagainst the concurrent pivotal movement of said lever will operate said switch means for said dump control, said plate, said means for carrying said lever on said plate and said open remote end of said tube being cooperatively arranged to permit feed moved against said plate to move from said plate through said open remote end of said tube.

8. In a dump tube feeder having a tube with a remote open end to which feed is delivered with said tube rotating in response to energization of an electrical circuit to dump feed therefrom, a dump control for energizing said electrical circuit for the period of time necessary for said tube to make substantially one revolution comprising, a cylindrical tube section carried on said remote open end of said tube to rotate therewith, said cylindrical tube section having a notch in the extreme edge thereof, said cylindrical tube section being positioned relative to said tube so that said notch is disposed substantially on the top of said cylindrical tube section when said tube is in a non-dumping position, a lever, means pivotally carrying said lever in a generally depending condition at the extreme edge of said cylindrical tube section, said lever having a first pivoted position with a portion of said lever in :said notch when said tube is a non-dumping position and having a second pivoted position with said portion of said lever disposed on said extreme edge when said tube is in any other rotated position, switch means connectible to said electrical circuit for energization thereof responsive to operation of said switch means, said switch means being positioned in cooperation with said lever so that said switch means is not operated when said lever is in said first pivoted position and so that said switch means is operated when said lever is in said second pivoted position, feed responsive means for temporarily pivoting said lever to said second pivoted position responsive to feed being temporarily delivered to said remote open end of said tube.

9. In a dump tube feeder as defined in claim 8, wherein said notch is of a certain width along said extreme edge, said certain width of said notch being such as to permit said lever to return to said first pivoted position from said second pivoted position when said feed being temporarily delivered to said remote open end of said tube is less than a certain amount.

10. In a feeder, an elongated housing with an open remote end to which feed is delivered by an auger disposed within said housing, dump means operable to initiate a dumping of feed from said housing along the length thereof, feed responsive means comprising a plate, means pivotally carrying said plate at said open remote end of said housing, means normally positioning said plate in a position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing for intercepting feed delivered to said open remote end of said housing, said means pivotally carrying said plate being formed to permit said plate to be swung outwardly by the movement of feed thereagainst and said plate cooperating with said open remote end of said tube to permit said :feed which is moved against said plate to swing said plate outwardly to drop from said open remote end of said tube, and means connected between said plate and said dump means for operating said dump means concurrently with the outward swinging of said plate by the movement of feed thereagainst.

11. .A fill and dump stock feeder comprising, in combination, a feed hopper having a discharge outlet, an elongated container communicating with said outlet to receive feed from the hopper, said container extending in a horizontal direction and having rectilinear slot means along a major portion of its length, means mounting said container for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means conveying and distributing feed taken from said hopper along the length of said container, drive means rotating said container to locate said slot means in an up position when feed is being conveyed and distributed in the container and in a lower position to dump feed from the container, means stopping rotation of said container with said slot means in an up position, means stopping rotation of said container at the end of an operating cycle with said slot means in a down position, means operating said stopping means, and means mounted on the feeder and operatively associated with saido erati-ng means to control said stopping means.

12. A fill and dump stock feeder comprising, in combination, a feed hopper having a discharge outlet, an elongated container communicating with said outlet to receive feed from the hopper, said container extending in a horizontal direction and having rectilinear slot means along a major portion of its length, means mounting said container for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means conveying and distributing feed taken from said hopper along the length of said container, drive means rotating said container to locate said slot means in an up position when feed is being conveyed and distributed in the container and in a l-ower'position to dump feed from the container, means stopping rotation of said container with said slot :means in an up position and stopping and leaving said container with said slot means in a down position, electrically actuated means operating said stopping means and including a pair of switches, one stopping rotation of said container with the slot means in said up position and one stopping rotation of said container with the slot means in said lower position, and means on the feeder operating said switches.

13. A fill and dump stock feeder comprising, in cornbi-nation, a feed hopper having a discharge outlet, an elongated container communicating with said outlet to receive feed from the hopper, said container extending in a horizontal direction and having a slot along a major portion of its length, means mounting said container for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means conveying and distributing feed taken from said hopper along the length of said container, drive means rotating said container to locate said slot in an up position when feed is being conveyed and distributed in the container and in a lower position to dump feed from the container, means positively stopping rotation of said container with said slot in either of said positions, electrical-1y actuated means operating said stopping means and including a pair of the slot in said up position and one stopping rotation of said container with the slot in said lower position, means mounting said switches alongside said container and spaced relative to each other along the container axis, and a pair of switch actuators connected to said container, one actuator operating one switch on rotation of the container and the other actuator operating the other switch, said actuators being both axially and angularly spaced relative to each other.

14. A fill and dump stock feeder as recited in claim 13 wherein said switch actuators are mounted on said container on opposite sides of said slot and axially spaced relative to each other.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,764,276 6/ 1930 Mooney 22260 1,813,519 7/1931 Varusky 22256 2,594,687 4/ 1952 Scott 222238 2,785,791 3/1957 Cordis 198-224 2,794,576 6/1957 Reynolds 222185 2,801,610 8/1957 Wallace et al. '11951 2,867,314 1/1959 Hansen 198'--64 2,929,356 3/ 1960 Bacigalupo l1951 2,940,639 6/ 1960 Winter 222-6O 3,077,972 2/1963 Mitchell 198-213 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. switches, one stop-ping rotation of said container w1th 25 CHARLES W. ROBINSON, RAPHAEL M. LUPO,

Examiners.

H. R. CHAMBLEE, T. R. LAMPE, Assistant Examiners. 

10. IN A FEEDER, AN ELONGATED HOUSING WITH AN OPEN REMOTE END TO WHICH FEED IS DELIVERED BY AN AUGER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID HOUSING, DUMP MEANS OPERABLE TO INITIATE A DUMPING OF FEED FROM SAID HOUSING ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF, FEED RESPONSIVE MEANS COMPRISING A PLATE, MEANS PIVOTALLY CARRYING SAID PLATE AT SAID OPEN REMOTE END OF SAID HOUSING, MEANS NORMALLY POSITIONING SAID PLATE IN A POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID HOUSING FOR INTERCEPTING FEED DELIVERED TO SAID OPEN REMOTE END OF SAID HOUSING, SAID MEANS PIVOTALLY CARRYING SAID PLATE BEING FORMED TO PERMIT SAID PLATE TO BE SWUNG OUTWARDLY BY THE MOVEMENT OF FEED THEREAGAINST AND SAID PLATE COOPERATING WITH SAID OPEN REMOTE END OF SAID TUBE TO PERMIT SAID FEED WHICH IS MOVED AGAINST SAID PLATE TO SWING SAID PLATE OUTWARDLY TO DROP FROM SAID OPEN REMOTE END OF SAID TUBE, AND MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID PLATE AND SAID DUMP MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID DUMP MEANS CONCURRENTLY WITH THE OUTWARD SWINGING OF SAID PLATE BY THE MOVEMENT OF FEED THEREAGAINST. 